Following layoffs, 65% of employees who weren’t let go said they either felt unprepared or made costly mistakes due to a lack of training, according to a June 17 report from Kahoot!, a learning and engagement platform.
Seventy percent said a structured re-onboarding would have eased the transition. Instead, most received little support, leading to mistakes, increased pressure and plans to quit.
“Surviving a layoff doesn’t mean surviving the impact,” said Eilert Hanoa, CEO of Kahoot! “When companies cut headcount without supporting those who remain, they are not just risking morale and employee engagement. They are risking mistakes, missed opportunities, and lost talent.”
In a survey of more than 1,000 full-time U.S. workers who experienced at least one company layoff in the past three years, younger workers were even more likely to report mistakes and uncertainty, with 77% of Generation Z employees reporting problems after a layoff.
Without training, 84% of workers said they spent time during the workweek training themselves on how to handle new responsibilities. Among those, 1 in 4 spent more than four hours per week figuring out their new role.
Although 27% of workers received structured training or orientation, the rest relied on informal support, including learning through peers, trial and error, and sources such as YouTube or Google.
Nearly half of workers reported a drop in morale and engagement, especially when leaders fell silent after layoffs. Nineteen percent said their motivation dropped, and leaders did not offer support. Another 30% said leaders made some effort to rebuild morale, but it wasn’t enough.
A lack of post-layoff training also affected retention, with 45% of workers saying they’d likely leave within the next year if training needs aren’t met. Another 31% said they’d stay but feel less committed to the company. Among Gen Z respondents, 72% said they’ve considered leaving due to increased pressure and limited support.
After layoffs, HR teams and managers should make sure retained employees receive accurate information, emotional support and a clear understanding of what’s next, according to a report from McLean & Co. Retained employees need open communication and opportunities for professional development to close skills gaps, the report said.
Employee confidence dropped to a new low in May, continuing an ongoing decline in 2025, according to a Glassdoor report. Economic uncertainty and layoffs continue to drive employee confidence down, a Glassdoor economist explained.
